What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

In this chapter, the author explores the application of counseling approaches in advising pre-health professional students. After identifying and reviewing three counseling models, the chapter offers theory-to-practice strategies for developing psychological flexibility and perspective taking with pre-health students. The author discusses common challenges for all pre-health students and structural inequalities that disadvantage students from underrepresented groups and how counseling approaches help advisors and students build a trusting alliance to address challenges inherent on the path to becoming a health professional. The chapter includes practical tips and suggestions to empower educators and advisors to apply counseling-inspired approaches to enhance advising practice and creatively support this student population.